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In Italian, a cappella literally means in chapel style. That’s because back in the day, instruments were forbidden in the church (they still are in many orthodox churches, synagogues and mosques). Therefore, all music had to be sung, and only sung.
These days, a cappella generally refers to a song, sacred or secular, that’s performed without instrumental accompaniment. Far from the chants of Gregorian monks, or the motets of Ockeghem, or even the traditional 1940s barbershop quartet, a cappella is alive and well in the 21st century. Here are three of my favorite recent recordings:
1. “Everything in Its Right Place” – Sonos
I love the original version of this Radiohead tune from Kid A, but wow! have these six artist from Los Angeles enabled me to appreciate the song in a whole new way. Check it out below, and remember: every sound you hear is produced with the voice, even the faux-backward stuff. (The whole track can be purchased on iTunes.) For more on Sonos, see their MySpace page.
2. “Take a Chance on Me” – Andy Bernard
(with, presumably, members of his old college a cappella group Here Comes Treble)
Yeah, the original ABBA tune still rocks. But what about the brilliant Ed Helms’? If you missed the episode of The Office where Andy serenades Angela with the help of his old buddies, each on a different speaker phone, hit the YouTube clip below, or download the whole episode on iTunes.
3. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin
Even though it was released way back in 1988, any short list of recent a cappella greats must still include this Bobby McFerrin classic, if only because it was the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (a position it held for a full two weeks).
What are some of your favorite a cappella recordings? (I realize I didn’t list any Manhattan Transfer. Apologies to those who love the group. My high school choral director played them to death and I haven’t been able to listen to them ever since.)
Check out past On Music posts here >>
Comments (38)
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Straight No Chaser’s 12 Days of Christmas is spectacular. You can get it on YouTube.
posted by Amber on 1-20-2009 at 8:49 am
I have a temptations cd where they perform My Girl that is pretty sweet.
posted by solipsismal displacement on 1-20-2009 at 9:00 am
For the Longest Time, Billy Joel
posted by Jason on 1-20-2009 at 9:49 am
Check out Tonic Sol Fa (tonicsolfa.com) and GoFish (gofishguys.com)
posted by Ginger on 1-20-2009 at 9:58 am
Where in the World in Carmen Sandeigo :)
posted by Andy on 1-20-2009 at 10:29 am
Wasn’t there a group called Rockapella? I think they did a Folgers Coffee commercial and the Carmen San Diego show, too.
posted by Tim on 1-20-2009 at 10:30 am
Oh man, that radiohead cover is amazing. Thanks, david!
posted by Ransom Riggs on 1-20-2009 at 10:30 am
Don’t forget Imogen Heap’s Hide And Seek! She does apply some effects to her voice but there aren’t any instruments.
posted by jopari on 1-20-2009 at 10:48 am
Perfect Circle remakes Joni Mitchell’s “Fiddle and the Drum” in an eerie and remarkable fashion.
If this song doesn’t make you hate war, nothing will.
posted by Alex on 1-20-2009 at 10:51 am
You can’t beat The Klein Four (of the Northwestern University math department). My two favorite songs (both available on YouTube)?
Finite Simple Group (of Order Two)
Twelve Days of Christmas
You’ve *got* to hear their Twelve Days, even if it *is* just a bit late (or quite a bit early). It’s *highly* enjoyable.
posted by CJ on 1-20-2009 at 11:34 am
The Bobs! Especially “Through the Wall”.
posted by loripop on 1-20-2009 at 12:12 pm
Anything a capella by the Beach Boys. I mean, come on. Technically, “In my Room” isn’t a capella, but take away that arpeggio, and….beauty.
Also, Da Vinci’s Notebook’s “Metal Shop”. Heavy metal tunes a la barbershop quartet.
posted by Michelle on 1-20-2009 at 12:23 pm
The Temps tune is just the vocal track of the original My Girl minus the instrumentation. Still, sounds good.
You mustn’t forget the Persuasions. One of my faves of theirs is an album of Beatles covers.
posted by BassMan on 1-20-2009 at 12:27 pm
Todd Rundgren did a brilliant all a cappella album back in the 80’s.
Billy Joel’s “Longest Time” technically doesn’t count; there’s a string bass part. (listen closely!)
posted by mike on 1-20-2009 at 12:44 pm
A group from UC Berkeley did a version of the Mortal Combat theme. It cracks me up every time.
Search “a capella mortal combat” to see the video of them sneaking up on some unsuspecting shadow boxers in a public park.
Hilarious! (Especially when one singer says, “Finish Him!”)
posted by Gretchen on 1-20-2009 at 12:53 pm
My favorite mostly-a cappella group: Chanticleer.
posted by Stephanie on 1-20-2009 at 1:16 pm
Ben Folds just had a contest where college acapella groups could send in their acapella versions of his songs…he’s putting together a benefit album of them this spring.
Check them out..my favorites are the redos of “Army” and “Magic”.
Go to Ben’s official web site and add a /acapella to see the videos.
posted by Christine on 1-20-2009 at 1:40 pm
Rajaton. Not a group known for pop music but it’s some of the most incredible vocal a cappella work out there.
posted by Rick James on 1-20-2009 at 1:40 pm
Penn has a great a cappella group called Off the Beat. They perform contemporary songs and they are amazing.
posted by Laura on 1-20-2009 at 2:06 pm
Anything by “The Real Group” is fantastic. They’re the best out there. Check out “Live in Stockholm.”
posted by Jon on 1-20-2009 at 2:15 pm
The answer is Take 6. There really is no question among the music industry experts. Best technical vocal group, ever.
posted by Mike on 1-20-2009 at 2:28 pm
Tom’s Diner – Suzanne Vega (the original without the DNA Disciples’ beat).
posted by Shane on 1-20-2009 at 3:14 pm
Rockapella is the best! Their version of “Zombie Jamboree” is awesome. And of course…”Where in the World is Carmen Sandiago?”
posted by Matt on 1-20-2009 at 3:17 pm
Much of the Kings Singers’ work.
Modern barbershop, both quartets and choruses. Too many to list, all seriously good.
FACE, a “vocal band” in the Denver/Boulder Colorado area. (Unless you consider a microphone as an instrument. Some of the percussive effects would be impossible without it.)
posted by Bob on 1-20-2009 at 3:19 pm
For something different, do a search for Sean Nos. It’s traditional Irish “old style” a cappella singing. You’ll either love it or hate it…
posted by Jason! on 1-20-2009 at 3:40 pm
Some of my other favorite groups that I haven’t seen mentioned yet:
The House Jacks
m-pact
Five O’Clock Shadow
Toxic Audio
Cadence
The Blenders (at least in their early years)
And absolutely yes to The Real Group, The Bobs, and Da Vinci’s Notebook. DVN’s “Title of the Song” off the album “The Life and Times of Mike Fanning” deserves special mention for mocking every sappy love song ever written.
http://www.a-cappella.com has all of the above and more!
posted by Rachel on 1-20-2009 at 3:42 pm
The University at Albany Earth Tones!
posted by Rachael on 1-20-2009 at 8:17 pm
I have some friends who went to Stanford and sang with this group, so I have to mention Fleet Street. They do a Duran Duran medley that kills me every time.
posted by Kristin on 1-20-2009 at 10:45 pm
How about the Nylons? Best known for “Kiss Him Goodbye,” but I think their best was the album “One Size Fits All.”
posted by Jerry on 1-20-2009 at 11:03 pm
Björk. The entire Medúlla album. That is all.
posted by Lee on 1-20-2009 at 11:28 pm
No modern-era r&b mentioned? What about the great Boyz II Men with the Beatles’ “Yesterday” or Az Yet covering Chicago’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”?
posted by Richard on 1-20-2009 at 11:55 pm
Phish does several a cappella songs live including Freebird complete with the epic guitar solo. Pretty funny. I’m sure there are versions on YouTube if you look.
posted by Nick on 1-21-2009 at 11:56 am
What about the Persuasions? Gypsy Women, Chain Gang ?
posted by Ken Zank on 1-21-2009 at 4:43 pm
I’ve always enjoyed the episodes of “Scrubs” that include Ted’s band, “The Useless Peons”. Their real name is The Blanks and they seem to do mostly commercials.
posted by john on 1-21-2009 at 7:09 pm
The Coats, formally the trenchcoats
posted by james on 1-21-2009 at 10:46 pm
The Real Group, mentioned earlier, is definitely incredible. Youtube their song “Gota,” and I guarantee you will be amazed.
Also, the University of Wisconsin’s Madhatters group is some of the best college a cappella I’ve heard.
posted by Matt on 1-22-2009 at 3:13 am
Sukiyaki and In the Still of the Night…
Good music!
posted by Entertainment Blog on 2-4-2009 at 1:31 am
Definitely, definitely any of James Madison University’s a-cappella groups. My favorites are The Madison Project and Exit 245. They’re all mind-blowing.
posted by Amber on 3-16-2009 at 8:09 pm